Band: Avenged Sevenfold
Album title: Nightmare
Label: Roadrunner Records
Distributor: CNR – Concreteweb Promotion Office
Release date: 30/08/2010
Release: CD

Avenged Sevenfold is an American hard rock/ metal band from California, U.S.A. and was formed in 1999. The band consists of vocalist M. Shadows, guitar players Zacky Vengeance and Synister Gates, and bassist Johnny Christ. Their drummer (the Rev) unfortunately died a few months ago and is replaced by the drummer from Dream Theater, Mike Portnoy.

Originally the band came to the music scene with a Metalcore sound witch included screaming vocals and heavy guitar riffs, but the band changed their style on their third release called City Of Evil, which features more of a mainstream hard rock style, but with a special vibe going on. With lots of mood changes and with a lot of swing going on. Since then, the band has stayed faithful to this formula, and actually suits them. But you notice that the guys not only lost their drummer, they lost their friend. That feeling is very present on the album as it is dedicated to him. Not only that but you notice that the overall vibe and feeling of the record is more darker than previous records.

For the rest there aren’t any big changes, still the same typical A7X tricks, sounds and riffs, but all for the Rev.

85/100

Jeroen.